Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team has filed a second request for a mistrial in his federal sex trafficking case, citing what they describe as the government’s reliance on “materially false” testimony.
In a letter submitted to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian on Friday (June 7), Diddy’s attorneys argued that the prosecution knowingly presented inaccurate claims related to a high-profile allegation involving fashion designer Bryana “Bana” Bongolan. Specifically, the defense refuted testimony that Diddy dangled Bongolan over the balcony of Cassie Ventura’s Los Angeles apartment in 2016 — a claim first introduced during Cassie’s testimony.
“The government has presented testimony that it knew or should have known was materially false related to its allegation that Mr. Combs dangled Bryana Bongolan from the balcony of Cassie Ventura’s apartment in September 2016,” the letter stated. “Accordingly, to avoid an unfair conviction in this case the Court should grant a mistrial.”
Diddy’s team claims that Ventura could not have witnessed the alleged incident as she testified because, according to text message records, she learned about it only after it had occurred — suggesting she was not present at the time.
“The incident, as alleged, is disturbing and powerful evidence, and the government has used it to depict Mr. Combs in an extremely negative light, as an angry and dangerous man who terrified Ms. Ventura and her friends,” the motion continued.
This is the second time in two weeks that Diddy’s attorneys have sought a mistrial. The defense argues that the introduction of disputed testimony has irreparably tainted the jury’s perception of Combs, potentially compromising his right to a fair trial.
As of now, the prosecution has not publicly responded to the latest filing. Judge Subramanian has yet to issue a ruling on the mistrial request.
Source: People
